Man to plead guilty in Keokuk County hayrack ride crash
An Iowa man charged in a hayrack ride crash that injured dozens of seventh graders is expected to plead guilty.
Court documents show that a plea hearing for Daniel Brubaker is set for Tuesday in Keokuk County.
He is charged with 13 counts of child endangerment causing serious injury after the October 2023 crash. Police say Brubaker was hauling seventh graders on a hayrack ride near What Cheer when he crashed into a ditch, throwing all 29 kids off the ride, with three hospitalized.
Investigators believe alcohol was involved.
Brubaker is also facing two lawsuits from families over the incident, with one trial set for Oct. 28 and the other trial date not yet determined.
David Heady, the operator of the ride, is facing the same charges, with his trial scheduled for Aug. 26 in Mahaska County.